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A colorful Mediterranean meatball bowl filled with juicy seared meatballs, creamy tzatziki, fresh cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, pickled red onions, and fluffy white rice, garnished with fresh dill.

Mediterranean Meatball Bowl with Tzatziki

A fresh and flavorful bowl layered with juicy herb-seasoned meatballs, creamy tzatziki, crisp vegetables, and fluffy rice for the perfect balanced meal.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course dinner, Main Course
Cuisine Mediterranean
Servings 4 bowls
Calories 540 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Meatballs

  • 1 lb 450g ground beef or lamb
  • 1/3 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tbsp chopped parsley
  • 2 tbsp chopped dill
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 –2 tbsp olive oil for cooking

For the Tzatziki

  • 1 cup Greek yogurt
  • 1/2 large cucumber grated and drained
  • 1 tbsp chopped dill
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper to taste

For the Bowl

  • 2 cups cooked rice
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 cucumber sliced
  • 1/2 red onion thinly sliced (pickled optional)
  • Fresh dill for garnish

Instructions
 

Make the Meatballs:

  • In a large bowl, mix the ground meat, breadcrumbs, egg, parsley, dill, garlic, oregano, cumin, salt, and pepper. Shape the mixture into small meatballs. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat and cook the meatballs until golden and fully cooked, about 8–10 minutes.

Prepare the Tzatziki:

  • In another bowl, combine Greek yogurt, drained cucumber, dill, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix well and refrigerate until serving.

Assemble the Bowl:

  • Add rice to each bowl. Top with meatballs, tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions. Spoon tzatziki over the top and garnish with fresh dill.

Notes

Tips

  • Drain the cucumber very well to keep the tzatziki thick.
  • Avoid overmixing the meat mixture to keep the meatballs tender.
  • Let the cooked meatballs rest briefly for the juices to redistribute.
  • Use cold tzatziki for the best contrast with warm meatballs.

 

Variations

  • Swap rice with couscous, bulgur, or quinoa.
  • Add chopped mint for extra freshness.
  • Make it spicy by adding chili flakes or harissa to the meat mixture.
  • Use coconut yogurt for a dairy-free tzatziki alternative.
  • Serve over leafy greens for a lighter bowl.

Storage

  • Meatballs: Refrigerate for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
  • Tzatziki: Best within 3 days.
  • Rice: 4 days refrigerated.
  • Vegetables: Best fresh.
Keyword Easy meal prep bowls, Greek meatball recipe, Greek rice bowl, healthy Mediterranean bowl, healthy weeknight meals., Mediterranean meatball bowl